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69 Me. 181

State v. Goddard

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided February 12, 1879

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1879-02-12

On exceptions to the ruling of Symonds, J., of the superior court for this county. The defendant was charged with assault and battery by an indictment of the following tenor, omitting the simply formal parts : “ The jurors for said state, upon their oath, present that John II.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently March 1949

1 state decisions

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Decided 1879-02-12

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Yirgin, J.

¶1It is contended that the offense set out is not a felony, and therefore that the allegation, that the acts therein described were feloniously done, is improper.

¶2We do not think the objection tenable. Moreover, if it were, it would not be sufficient cause for quashing the indictment, inasmuch as such irregularity would not tend to the defendant’s prejudice. If the simple allegation tended to prejudice the party accused, the provision in B. S., c. 131, § 12, would be a nullity.

¶3But an assault and battery, as defined in B. S., e. 118, § 28, is, as the statute now stands, a felony. The term “ felony,” when used in B. S., cc. 117 to 139, inclusive, includes every offense punishable by imprisonment ” “ for the term of one year or more.” B. S., c. 131, § 9 ; c. 135, § 2. The offense of assault and battery is defined in c. 118, § 28. Though prior to 1872 the maximum imprisonment therefor was less than one year, the legislature then increased the maximum to a term not exceeding five years,” $,nd thereby made the offense a statute felony. St. 1872, c. 82. To be sure, this statute does not in totidem verbis provide that B. S., c. 118, § 28, shall be amended by changing the term of punishment as therein provided ; but it is none the less an amendment; and from the date of the amendment B. S., c. 118, § 28, is to be construed as if it originally contained the new provisions. Byron v. Co. Gomm’rs, 57 Maine, 340. Blake v. Bracket, 47 Maine, 28.

¶4Assault and battery being a substantive felony under the stat-*183lite, there was no need of charging an intent to commit any other felonious offense.

¶5Exceptions overruled.

Appleton, C. J., Walton, Barrows and Libbey, JJ., concurred.
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